Last Chance for the Next 4 Years for In-State Tuition

Over the last few weeks the NJ Regional Coalition, a group made up of hundreds of religious leaders, along with NJ Immigration Policy Network and the NJ Catholic Conference decided to make a last push at the end of the Corzine administration for a bill that would allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates and county colleges and state universities.

It was an extreme long shot, since the bill has languished in one committee after another for eight years. But as we know, with faith in God, and particularly during the season of Christmas, all things are possible.

As a result of their efforts the in-state tuition bill now has a chance at being passed after eight long years.

This bill is budget neutral (it will not affect anyone’s taxes) and it is an opportunity to respond with decency and correct an injustice aimed at students who are brought here as children.

If the bill does not pass by the end of this session Christie will not sign it and we may have to wait eight more years for another opportunity.

Please help move this bill along by calling, and emailing your state legislators.

Bill numbers: (Senate S1036/S1933 and Assembly A194/A990)

Our primary targets:

* Senator Barbara Buono: 732-205-1372- Chair Budget Committee
senbuono@njleg.org

* Senator Paul Sarlo: 201-804-8118- Vice-Chair sensarlo@njleg.org

* Senator Stephen Sweeney: 856-251-9801 sensweeney@njleg.org

* Senator Joseph Vitale: 732-855-7441 senvitale@njleg.org

* Senator Anthony Bucco: 973-627-9700
senbucco@njleg.org

* Senator Kevin O'Toole:973-237-1362 senotoole@njleg.org

* Senator Joseph Pennacchio: 973-984-0922 senpennacchio@njleg.org


Hello my name is ________ I am a member of Pax Christi NJ and I live in _________. I am contacting you to ask you to support the in-state tuition bill (S1036/S1933).

In the words of Pope Benedict “Every migrant is a human person who, as such, possesses fundamental, inalienable rights that must be respected by everyone and in every circumstance.”

Our Catholic faith instructs that one of those rights is the right to an education. Forcing students who were brought to this country as children and now call NJ home creates an impediment to higher education that is unnecessary and fundamentally unjust.

Please vote in favor of in-state tuition.


If you can, please join us in Trenton on January 4th-

Monday, January 4, 2010 9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Economic Growth, Academic Excellence, Vocational and Professional Empowerment:
"Elevate Through In-State"
Statehouse Annex in Trenton
Committee Room 3 - 1st floor
Statehouse Annex Building

If you are coming please contact Nadia at NSBandukda@njipn.org with the following information:

1. Your personal/organizational RSVP with contact information

2. Names and/or amount of people that you will be bringing

May you be enjoying the peace & blessings of Christmas.

Kathy O'Leary
Coordinator - Pax Christi NJ